bout 40 previously cancelled regional commuter trains are back to operation, and another 300 suburban trains will be re-launched in the next few days

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. Russian Railways have restored the disrupted suburban commuter traffic in Russian regions after President Putin directly intervened in the crisis that swept many Russian regions early this year.

Many Russian regions cancelled all suburban commuter trains after the Russian Railways demanded that regions compensate the expenses of the corporate carrier. President Putin ordered to immediately restore the movement of all regional suburban trains and called on Russian Railways to provide guarantees. About 40 previously cancelled regional commuter trains are back to operation, and another 300 suburban trains will be re-launched in the next few days.

The Russian Railways Company (OAO "RZHD") has restored the previously cancelled suburban trains in 41 directions, Russian Vice-Premier Arkady Dvorkovich told journalists. "The operation of suburban trains in 41 directions have been restored in the Pskov, Tver, Chelyabinsk, Moscow and Sverdlovsk regions, including inter-regional trains travelling through these regions. Over 300 cancelled trains will be resume operation in the next three or four days," Dvorkovich said.

Representatives of Russian Railways and sectoral ministries were supposed to meet on Thursday to discuss how to finance suburban passenger haulages.

"A resolution to be drafted by the meeting will later be discussed with representatives of Russian regions," the vice-premier said.